Security beefed up, some city roads closed ahead of court ruling
Adequate security arrangements have been put in place ahead of the Supreme Court ruling on the presidential petition today.
National Police Service says the deployment, which varies from region to region, was determined by the security challenges anticipated, including celebrations that may turn chaotic.
Already, security officers, equipment and machinery across the country have been deployed
Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, who has since been discharged from the hospital where he spent 12e days, is now back in the office, and is expected to oversee the arrangements.
“As the National Police Service, we have taken all the necessary steps and measures to enhance security in all parts of the country including all critical infrastructure. We further appeal to the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with the law enforcement and other security agencies,” police said.
A number of roads leading to the Supreme Court will be closed today.
Acting Inspector General Noor Gabow said on Saturday the move was necessary to ensure that peace is maintained countrywide.
No motorist will be allowed to access the CBD through Kenyatta Avenue via Cathedral Road but instead are advised to use Haile Selassie Avenue.
Cathedral Road-Milimani Ngong Road will be closed at Kenyatta Avenue-Valley Road junction near NSSF building.
Nairobi Traffic police commander Vitalis Otieno said the roads will be closed two hours before the time given by the court for the judgment.
Last week, the Deputy Inspector General of the National Police Service Edward Mbugua ordered all Regional Commanders to deploy their officers in all hot spot areas.
“The Supreme Court of Kenya will make a ruling on the presidential petition on Monday, September 5. Depending on the ruling, we expect various reactions from members of the public in hotspot areas such as violence and destruction of property, demonstrations and celebrations. You are directed to prepare operation orders on how to deal with the aftermath of the court ruling,” ordered DIG.
The areas identified as hotspots including Kisumu, Nakuru, Nairobi, Kericho, Mombasa and Uasin Gishu, have already received extra deployment of regular, Administration Police (AP), and General Service Unit (GSU) officers.
The other counties mapped by the NCIC as possible epicentres of violence – albeit at a lower risk – are Narok, Marsabit, Laikipia, Lamu, Baringo, Isiolo, Meru, Nandi, Samburu, Bomet, Embu, Nyandarua, Makueni, Busia, Taita-Taveta, Tharaka-Nithi, Kitui and Kajiado.
Prior to the August 9 general election, the IG gazetted other officers from the Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the National Youth Service (NYS) and the Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) among others, as special police officers to assist the officers
Mbugua’s directives came just a day after the US imposed movement restrictions on its personnel in Kisumu, one of the areas identified by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) as having the highest risk of election related violence. When the results were announced on August 15, there were reported cases of protests in a number of urban areas.
About three weeks ago, the National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC) advised Kenyans to resume their daily activities saying the country was safe and secure.
